Disabled racing driver to present Grand Prix trophy

Disabled racing driver Nathalie McGloin, will make history on Sunday 8 July at the Silverstone Circuit as she has been appointed the honour of presenting the third place trophy at the Formula 1 2018 British Grand Prix.

This is the first time in history that the trophy has been presented by a disabled sportperson. Nathalie is the only female tetraplegic racing driver in the world to be racing at a professional level, she is the founder of the charity Spinal Track that gives disabled people the opportunity to try out track driving in a specially adapted car. She was also made President of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission at the end of last year.

Nathalie will be presenting the trophy in place of David Richards, chairman of the Motor Sports Association (MSA), who passed the baton to Nathalie in the hopes that it will help raise the profile of the participation of disabled people in motorsport.

Nathalie commented: “When David Richards confirmed that I would be presenting the third place trophy after the F1 race at Silverstone, I was speechless. The support I’ve had from the MSA with my new role as President of the FIA Disability and Accessibility Commission has been incredible. Being gifted this opportunity by David is humbling beyond words – it’s something that has never been done before by any other chairman, and the idea was completely supported by Jean Todt, President of the FIA. The sense of pride is enormous and I cannot wait for the F1 weekend to get started now!”

David Richards, MSA Chairman, said: “We’re committed to promoting the unique opportunity that motorsport presents for people of all backgrounds, whether male or female and able bodied or disabled, to compete together on a level playing field. On behalf of the MSA, I’m pleased to take this opportunity to demonstrate my personal commitment to inclusivity, and would like to thank both the FIA and Silverstone for their support in making this possible, not just in raising awareness of the accessibility of our sport but in providing a lasting legacy at the circuit.”